By: Madeline Higdon, Photo Editor

As a Catholic, I was raised without a single clue what happens in other religions outside of my own – even other denominations of Christianity. I attended private, Catholic schools from Pre-K all the way up to my senior year of high school, and when I asked my religion teachers about other religions, the only response I would receive back would be, “It doesn’t matter; it isn’t true. Only we [Catholics} are the true religion.”  

 An odd response, I know. So, I underwent 22 years without knowing anything about Judaism, except for the fact that they do not believe that Jesus was the true messiah, as he did not fulfill specific conditions, which I recently learned are listed in the siddur–the Jewish book of prayers. 

This semester, I wanted to branch out as a journalist. As the number-one element of journalism is people, I wanted to connect with as many new people as possible. I have decided to try to experience as many world religions as I can and report about them.  

 My first new experience was celebrating Rosh Hashanah with the Southern Georgia Jewish community. And on Friday, Sept .11, I entered a Jewish house of prayer for the very first time in my life.  

 Temple Israel, located on Baytree Road in Remerton, is the only conservative Jewish temple in South Georgia, and families came from all over the country – some traveled just an hour from Tifton, but others came as far as Atlanta, Miami and New York City.  

 There is a religious requirement of no creation during Rosh Hashanah. I was unable to write, photograph, or use my cellphone while inside of the synagogue. As a journalist, it was my biggest challenge yet, as I rely heavily on my notes to remember names and important quotes.

Upon entering the building, I was a nervous wreck. I was in a brand-new place with brand-new people, people who celebrate a totally different faith than I. There was a table full of informative papers, written entirely in Hebrew, as well as a box full of yamulkes. I felt my heart drop to my stomach; I felt like a total outsider.  

 Then, I was greeted by Max. He smiled, shook my hand, and treated me like every other member of the congregation. That weight left my body quicker than it appeared. He welcomed me to the temple, and he was the first person of the evening to say something I would hear from everyone that night: “Shanah tovah” – “I wish you a good year.”  

I took a seat in the second pew, and I was in awe at how beautifully decorated the bima (stage) was. The cloth draped over the lecterns, the flowers and Rabbi Elbaz’ clothing were all a beautiful, soft white.  

 “The color white represents purity and renewal,” Penny Elbaz, the rabbi’s wife, told me. “Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of humanity, not the Earth itself. After, we enter 10 days of repentance until Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.”  

 The celebration began with a blessing of the congregant children. Parents placed their palms atop of their little one’s head, and the whole congregation prayed over them. Following this blessing was the Mourner’s Kaddish – a prayer to God to celebrate the life of a recently departed soul.  

 Penny joined her husband on the Bima, and the two read the Blessing of the Evening, a responsorial psalm. I was able to follow along in my siddur, and it felt just like being at Catholic mass. Unfortunately, this was the last part of the service that I could easily follow, as the responsorial prayers for the remainder of the time were fully in Hebrew. 

 I tried to follow along using the little knowledge I had of Hebrew pronunciation, but I was tongue tied more often than not. I didn’t mind much, though. I was still making the attempt to pray, and one of my favorite lessons taught to me in Catholic mass is that ‘singing is praying twice.’ I may have been widely off with my Hebrew, but I wanted to offer up prayers with the people who welcomed me so kindly.  

 After the celebration, I was invited by Rabbi Elbaz to be his special guest for the reception.  

 “Come! Have a sweet new year with me!” he told me. 

 Together, we dined on fruit, pastries, and sweet drinks. I was able to partake in the tradition of eating apples and honey, and it was absolutely delicious. Rabbi Elbaz explained to me that the treats shared are to enable a ‘sweet start’ to humanity’s birthday.    

He answered every single question that I could possibly think of. After a while, I wondered if he got tired of my questions. Then, he told me something that eased my worries. 

 “The best way to avoid prejudice is through community and education. One of the most important things for Jews is for us to teach others,” he said. “A rabbi is not a rabbi to offer services and make money; in order for the future generation to continue, there must be someone there to teach them.”  

Penny found me at the reception, and she started to explain everything without me having to ask — something which I greatly appreciated. Something interesting she told me is that all of the pastries were round, due to representing the circle of life, a never-ending cycle.  

 I got to have a wonderful conversation with Mrs. Elbaz, and I told her about how enriching the experience had been for religious education. I shared my story about my religion class, and she shared with me something that I will never forget.  

 Penny told me, “Judaism believes that no matter what your religion is, if it brings you comfort, then that is fine. It is all in how we treat each other. There is no such thing as a true religion.”  

 It was a great honor to be able to share such a special holiday, and I owe a great deal of thanks to the Temple Israel community for all that they taught me that night.